On the Yankees beat

Exchanged e-mails with a scout who works for a Japanese team that plays in the same division as the Hanshin Tigers, and here's his personal scouting report on Kei Igawa:

"Igawa has enough talent to pitch for the Major League teams and is capable to win 10 or more games if his performance is consistent. He pitched with a lot of pressure with the Hanshin Tigers whose media is quiet similar as the NYY. That means he can handle them well. He is a very nice and quiet guy and he loves to watch soccer games as his hobby. Hope he finds a good girl friend there to improve his English."

Hideki Matsui is on the case, telling Sankei Sports, "I am going to support him ... I don't even mind introducing him an American girlfriend if he likes. Just kidding."

Speaking of girlfriends...

Just read Spurs guard Tony Parker and actress Eva Longoria are engaged. Good for them. Here's a story I'll tell for your amusement, but you have to promise to keep it to yourselves. And no making fun. During the 2005 season the Yankees were in Anaheim and I was taking the elevator up from the clubhouse level to the press level before the game. Got on the elevator and I immediately noticed Parker in a crowd of maybe six people. And I remember thinking it was pretty cool I was sharing an elevator with him, though I still hold a grudge that he took J-Kidd to school in the Finals a few years back. Anyway, as we all get off at the press level, it suddenly dawned on me that the woman who was hanging on Parker's arm was someone famous, largely for her looks, and I couldn't think of her name. I did a double take and still couldn't come up with it. So I had to ask my fellow beat reporters. And they laughed, and laughed. That best illustrates how up to date I am on pop culture outside of the sports world. Believe me, I still catch flak for that...

A Taiwanese government commercial promoting Chien-Ming Wang's homeland:

I've seen this question asked a couple of times, and here's my answer: In their dream world the Yankees would love to add another pitcher. But they flat out refuse to overpay for one, especially considering luxury tax ramifications (see below). When I asked Brian Cashman yesterday about pursuing another starter, here's what he said: "If I have the opportunity to make a move that makes sense, I’m not afraid to do that ... I’ll just get aggressive when something makes sense to me."

Here's where we stand: The Yankees would love to take Andy Pettitte back, but don't get your hopes up. That's still a longshot behind his other two options, returning to Houston and retiring. Roger Clemens is even more of a longshot. Meanwhile the Yankees remain in contact with the agents for Ted Lilly, Gil Meche and Miguel Batista, among others, but I'd be very surprised if they join the spending spree. They're more likely to act if there is a recurrence of the Johnny Damon situation from a year ago, where they can land somebody at a price they're comfortable with.

Tried to explain in today's paper why the Yankees' $26 million bid for the rights to Kei Igawa actually made some sense in the current baseball economic landscape. The Yankees essentially felt Igawa is the 27-year-old equivalent of Ted Lilly or Gil Meche, and their total investment in Igawa will probably be around $10 million less than it would be with Lilly or Meche because of the luxury tax. We explain in the story...

Tomorrow night is the deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their own free agents, but the process is different than past years thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement. Teams used to have to offer/decline arbitration to each one of their free agents, but now teams only have to offer arbitration to players classified as Type A or B compensation. This way teams don't have to rule out their in-house free agents of lesser value (like Miguel Cairo and Bernie Williams) just because of the arbitration date. The Yankees' only decision tomorrow will be with Ron Villone, who is a Type B free agent. So Bernie's Yankees career lives on, at least for another day...

"I am delighted the New York Yankees were able to secure the negotiating rights for Kei Igawa. Having played with the Hanshin Tigers, Igawa is very familiar with being a part of a great team with a rich tradition. Throughout the years, I have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the Yankees and look forward to completing successful negotiations on behalf of Igawa. I plan on meeting with Brian Cashman in Florida next week to begin the process. It will be an honor for me to help put him in pinstripes for the 2007 season."

Steinbrenner once referred to Tellem with a curse word, and I'll never forget it. In response to a harmless question about Hideki Matsui contract negotiations, Steinbrenner said, "-- the agent." He was in an elevator, and once the words came out of his mouth his security guard banged on the close door button. Funny scene.

Tellem didn't know what to do when we relayed Steinbrenner's message to him. Brian Cashman was standing right there, too, and it was incredibly awkward. I remember trying to lighten the mood, letting Tellem know he could just respond by saying, "-- the owner," but he didn't go for it. Come to think of it, I don't think he even laughed.

Anyway... aside from that bizarre incident -- or perhaps we should say in spite of that -- Tellem and the Yankees have worked very well together negotiating deals for Mike Mussina (twice), Matsui (twice) and Jason Giambi. There's no reason to think they won't come together on a contract for Kei Igawa sometime relatively soon.

By my calculations -- three words that usually makes my banker cringe -- the Yankees have $163 million tied up for next year's team in guaranteed contracts. That's not including players under their control such as Robinson Cano, Chien-Ming Wang, Scott Proctor, Melky Cabrera, Andy Phillips, Aaron Guiel, etc. So let's guesstimate those players will total another $3 million in salary. Now we're at $166 million. Now let's say that Kei Igawa gets $5 million next season. Now we're talking $171 million.

We haven't factored in the $26 million they gave Hanshin for Igawa -- yes, it's luxury tax free but we have to account for it somewhere in our books -- or the $4 million the Yankees gave the Orioles to take Jaret Wright. But given the Yankees have paid more than $200 million in salaries in each of the last two seasons, I think there's still room to splurge for another big ticket signing this offseason if they so choose.

Just my two cents. (Get it! Ha! Okay, okay, I'll stop now.)

This is from a scout who has seen Kei Igawa pitch several times:

"He’s not overpowering. Throws 87, 88, 90, maybe. Other people have told me he throws harder, but I haven’t seen it. His fastball is pretty straight … His best pitch is his changeup. He pitches to contact. He has to have good command and control to be successful … His breaking ball, I think, is his third best pitch. It’s not consistent enough. Every once in a while he’ll throw one that buckles your knees but I didn’t see him ever repeat it … He’s not going to be someone who is going to knock your eyes out ... He’s a pitcher. He has to be on his game."

The YES Network is reporting that the Yankees won the bidding, which I have to admit is very surprising. The official announcement from MLB and the Hanshin Tigers is expected at 8 p.m. In the meantime check out Kei Igawa's official Web site.

UPDATE: Just spoke to someone in the know and it sounds very likely the Yankees won the rights to Igawa with a bid "in the ballpark" of $25 million. This is a sealed process so there still could be a surprise, but it sounds good for the Yankees.

UPDATE II: Just posted this story on Newsday.com. I just spoke with a scout who has seen Igawa pitch multiple times through the years and it's safe to say he was blown away by the money the Yankees spent on this guy's rights. I'll post quotes soon...

We're going to find out soon who won the Kei Igawa bidding. According to a Kyodo News report -- that's a AP-like wire service in Japan -- the Hanshin Tigers have accepted the bid and plan to announce the winner later today. The Mets, Yankees and Mariners are believed to be among the bidders for the 27-year-old lefthander.

While Igawa certainly represents a cheaper alternative in this crazy free agent market, keep in mind he may not be too good. Here's David Lennon's story that ran in Newsday when Igawa pitched against the MLB team of All-Stars earlier this month.

Judge for yourself here:

Spoke with Gregg Zaun's agent, T.R. Lewis, around 5 p.m. yesterday and he definitely gave the impression something might happen with the Yankees today, maybe even a deal. “There is a strong level of interest and intrigue from both sides," Lewis said, "and we’re going to examine it a little further.”

Lewis, based out of Atlanta, was set to fly to New York today to meet face-to-face with Yankees GM Brian Cashman. But within a few hours that was canceled and Zaun was headed back to Toronto.

The Blue Jays were all set to sign Rod Barajas, but the deal fell through, apparently before the physical stage. The Blue Jays then called Zaun, and the negotiations went very quickly. At 9 p.m. on the dot Lewis sent me a text message: "Unexpected deal looks immiment w/Jays. Flight to NY tomorrow looks to be on hold."

Just like that the Yankees may have fallen 18 hours short of a player who could have been their best backup catcher since Jorge Posada held the job in the late 1990s.

The Yankees have scheduled a conference call with reporters for later this afternoon to officially announce Mike Mussina's new two-year, $23-million contract...

... and you get a stuffed animal.

Wrote two stories for today's edition.

One story quoted Gregg Zaun's agent saying Zaun would accept a backup job with the Yankees even though a handful of teams want him as a starter. We'll see. Of course money talks, so whoever pays him the most certainly will have the advantage.

My other story dealt with the voting process for awards such as MVP and Cy Young. This is how it currently works: two baseball reporters from every city with a team gets a vote, but more and more newspapers have been pulling out, citing a potential conflict of interest. (Newsday allows its reporters to vote, but sports editor Hank Winnicki is quoted in the story saying, "It's definitely something we're reconsidering.") Click here to see what some Sunday morning readers think about the story.

Two weeks ago Andy Pettitte said he was torn over whether to retire and couldn't wait to make up his mind. "I hate it," Pettitte said. "I want to make a decision and get it behind me."

But apparently, as of right now, Pettitte is not all that close to making a decision. "Nothing new," agent Randy Hendricks says in an e-mail just now. "He may take several more weeks."

I reached out to a handful of agents for an update on their clients before breaking for Thanksgiving and here's where they're all at. Obviously this isn't a complete list of players the Yankees may be interested right now; rather, I'm just trying to let you guys (and gals) in on any little tidbit I hear, even if it doesn't make the newspaper.

Ted Lilly
Agent Larry O'Brien reports in an e-mail that the Yankees have not given them an offer just yet, and says, "If they are truly serious I would imagine that we may make some progress at the Winter Meetings. We do not have a self-imposed time frame to make a deal but I would hope that we have a much clearer picture by the Winter Meetings." You might have noticed that most of the signings thus far have been position players; with the pitchers, it seems everyone is waiting for the first big contract to set the market.

Rich Aurilia
Agent Barry Axelrod described his talks with the Yankees as "exploratory" and "preliminary," saying they have not discussed years and money. Axelrod added that Brian Cashman told him Aurilia could be a fit for their righthanded-hitting first base vacancy or as a utility player. But Axelrod got the sense the Yankees were tending to other business first. Whether that means they're looking at other first basemen before Aurilia, he could not say. One thing to keep in mind about Aurilia -- he's a Type A free agent, so it's likely interested teams will wait until after the Dec. 1 deadline to offer arbitration before getting serious. This way, if the Reds don't offer arbitration as expected, teams won't have to give up a first round pick to sign him. And while Aurilia went to the same college as I did, I have to say, he is not worth a few million AND a first-round pick.

Shea Hillenbrand
Hillenbrand is represented by Danny Lozano of the Beverly Hills Sports Council, and Lozano was telling people late last week that they were taking the weekend to evaluate their situation and expected to start moving forward again on Monday.

Gregg Zaun
Zaun is acting as his own agent, Gary Sheffield style, and I have been unable to reach him thus far. But it seems from reading the Toronto papers his first choice is to return to Toronto for a two-year contract. They are reportedly apart on money, but his sights seem bigger than backing up for the Yankees. He told The Toronto Star earlier this week that three teams are interested in his services as a starter.

... to you and yours ...

Okay, back to baseball. Here are the most available free agents who fit the Yankees' needs. Pick one from each category and explain why you want him on the Yankees:

Starting pitchers:
Ted Lilly
Gil Meche
Miguel Batista
Jeff Suppan
Someone else

First basemen:
Rich Aurilia
Shea Hillenbrand
Eduardo Perez
Someone else

Backup catcher:
Gregg Zaun
Doug Mirabelli
Todd Pratt
Chris Widger
Someone else

The photo image was made by one of my favorite Yankee fan Web sites, nomaas.org.

I'm officially back on the clock today, and I'm ready to get back to chronicling the Yankees' search for another starting pitcher (or two), a righthanded hitting first baseman and a backup catcher. But before we begin, I must say I'm always in a historical mood on this day, the anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination.

One of the best perks of this job is that I get to travel the country, and when the Yankees were in Texas last July I visited the scene where Kennedy was killed. It was weird to see the grassy knoll in its present day form, live and in color as opposed to old black and white photos. There actually is an X on the street where Kennedy was shot. And it was rather moving to walk through the JFK museum located in the book depository building and see people crying as they viewed photos and exhibits.

So before we get back to Yankees talk, I'm just wondering whether any blog posters were alive 43 years ago -- I was not -- and what do you remember from that day?

What a shocker.

I'm interested to see which writer voted Jeter sixth...

Complete results on BBWAA's Web site.

Ok, with a few hours left before the MVP voting is announced, let's play the prediction game. So... does Derek Jeter win the AL MVP award today?

Just completed the 7 1/2 hour drive home from Western New York and logged on to find the Yankee talk going as strong as ever. Good job by all. I return to work Wednesday and I'm looking forward to jumping head first back into the blog with entries every day.

On that note, I'll leave you with this to chew on: A lot of the talk here lately has been surrounding the first base vacancy and potentially available pitchers. But let's turn sentimental for a second. What's everyone think of Bernie Williams? Do you want him back as a fifth outfielder? Or is it time to thank Old Man Bernie for his contributions and start planning a Bernie Williams Day at the Stadium next August?

We caught up with Williams at Joe Torre's charity dinner a few weeks back, and WIlliams sounded as if he wanted to play one more year. But Brian Cashman and Joe Torre both indicated there may not be a place for Bernie on the roster... Thoughts?

I'm up here in Western New York spending an early Thanksgiving weekend with family, and the Internet is keeping me in touch with the Yankees' doings. This morning I stumbled onto a Philadelphia Daily News story where Wes Helms says he took less money to sign with the Phillies instead of the Yankees. Surprising, eh?

Helms on choosing the Phillies:
"It's a more comfortable place for me to come to. I think it's better for my family, also. I felt they'd be happier here than in New York."

Helms on the Yankees' pitch:
"The role was to play first base. They were going to DH [Jason] Giambi. On the guaranteed side, they were a little higher [in salary]. But that's just me. I'm going to go where I'm happy. I felt like this is where I needed to be."

Helms on living in NYC:
"It was just not my personality."

I realize the field of potential righthanded-hitting firstbaseman is thin, but missing out on Helms is no great loss, I don't think. And if he didn't think he was going to be able to be happy in New York, good for him for realizing that and going elsewhere.

***

While we're on this topic, I must say I enjoyed scrolling through the energetic debate over Andy Phillips' merits to fill this particular role. I'll add this: I've always felt in recent years that Andy would be a perfect fit for this spot and just needed a true chance. But with that said, Phillips received a legitimate opportunity at significant playing time last season and he proved to be too inconsistent offensively, prone to slumps. While I think he could definitely rebound, it's hard to go into next season calling him the answer.

Well here's a potentially intriguing addition to the Yankees 2007 rotation. As Newsday's Ken Davidoff reports for Friday's paper, GM Brian Cashman says Scott Proctor will likely enter spring training as a starter, and they'll see where it takes them from there.

Makes sense to me for several reasons:

And it's just for the RIGHTS to Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Stunning.

I've got to believe the Seibu Lions officials, after receiving the bid last week, spent their weekends laughing and laughing, and laughing and laughing. And I wonder if the money was delivered to them in hundreds of white sacks with dollar signs on them.

I'm off for a week, so I won't be posting regular entries, though I probably will stop by at times. But, by all means, please stick around and have a good time. Surely the GM meetings will bring lots to discuss. But, in the meantime, check this out: Here's the Yankees' current 25-man roster, with openings. Who you you think should fill each spot?

POSITION PLAYERS (14)
C - Jorge Posada
1B - ???
2B - Robinson Cano
3B - Alex Rodriguez
SS - Derek Jeter
RF - Bobby Abreu
CF - Johnny Damon
LF - Hideki Matsui
DH - Jason Giambi
Backup C - ???
Backup INF - ???
Backup INF - Andy Phillips ???
Backup OF - Melky Cabrera
Backup OF - Aaron Guiel ???

STARTING PITCHERS (5)
SP - Chien-Ming Wang
SP - Randy Johnson (coming off back surgery)
SP - Mike Mussina (close to signing)
SP - ???
SP - ???
(In-house possibilities include Jeff Karstens, Darrell Rasner and Phil Hughes... I guess we'll mention Carl Pavano only because he has a guaranteed contract.)

RELIEVERS (6)
RP - Mariano Rivera
RP - Kyle Farnsworth
RP - Scott Proctor
RP - Mike Myers
RP - ???
RP - ???
(In-house options: Brian Bruney, Humberto Sanchez, Chris Britton, T.J. Beam.)

***

On one final note, congratulations to all of you.
This is our 300th entry in the seven-month history of the blog, and it wouldn't be possible if you guys didn't show so much interest in what we do. Thanks, everyone.

Just to update everyone, the Yankees-Orioles Jaret Wright negotiations we reported in today's newspaper is now a deal and will soon be made official. The trade consists of Wright and $4 million to the Orioles in exchange for 23-year-old righthander Chris Britton, Newsday has confirmed. The Baltimore Sun, which also is owned by Tribune, first reported the trade specifics.

Why give the Orioles $4 million, you may ask? This way the Yankees get something in return for the $4 million, instead of just paying the buyout fee and simply setting Wright free. Britton had a very solid season last year, and he's another young arm added to the Yankees bullpen.

Let's remember Gary Sheffield not for the way he left, or for what he did or didn't do on the field. But, rather, let's remember him for what he does best, and that's speak his mind. So here's my favorite Sheffield quotes from the past three years:

July 1, 2004
"I know Leskanic. His brother did my pool."
This is Sheffield's explanation as to why he wasn't angry that Boston's Curtis Leskanic hit Sheffield with a pitch in a situation when Sheffield was going to be walked. Earlier in the game Sheffield was hit by a pitch by Pedro Martinez and yelled at him. But the second HBP -- the more egregious one -- didn't bother him, because of the pool.

Feb. 28, 2005
"It's kind of a mutual thing."
This was Sheffield's reaction when he was asked if the option year in his contract -- which he negotiated himself -- was a player or team option. Of course, when Brian Cashman was asked a few hours later, the GM informed us it's strictly a team option.

July 18, 2004
"If it was up to me, I would never even speak to the media, never say another word."
This one still makes me laugh. Sheffield told me this in the visiting clubhouse in Detroit as he vented his frustation over how he felt the media presented his image. Still, everyone knows he can't stay quiet for long. And it IS his choice to talk to us.

Feb. 27, 2004
"We all say we don't play for the money. That's hogwash. We want to be respected and paid like the rest of the guys. But anything more than $10 million is Monopoly money."
I just like the image of Sheffield sitting down and playing Monopoly.

June 29, 2005
"I made a lot of concessions to come here. And I'll make it clear: If I have to go somewhere else, a lot of things are going to have to change. Or else they're going to have a headache on their hands."
Sheffield at his best, using his words to block a potential trade to the Mets.

Feb. 24, 2006
"I trust him, but I don't trust him totally. I don't trust anyone totally. Until it's on paper, I don't trust you."
This was Sheffield's view of his relationship with Brian Cashman.

March 30, 2006
"I'll do whatever they ask me to do, but it's a waste of my time."
Sheffield on the George Mitchell steroids investigation. Tell us what you really think.

Nov. 8, 2006
"He's a good player, but like I say, you can draw it up any kind of way. He ain't me. And that's the bottom line."
Sheffield's scouting report on Bobby Abreu. At least Sheff doesn't have a big head.

***

I've probably missed so many other good ones over the years, but these came to mind right away. If you remember any other memorable Sheffield quotes, please post them.

Sorry for the inactivity during a busy period. I left my comfy Long Island home for New York City to attend Joe Torre's Safe at Home Foundation dinner tonight, and so much news breaks. Now I'm in a Starbucks in Penn Station writing my stories. Obviously you all know Gary Sheffield was traded and there is a report out there that the Red Sox bid a whopping $40 million or so on Matsuzaka. I know this much: the Yankees didn't go that high. My iced latte is ready. I'll be back later with more...

I, like many of you, woke up and immediately turned on my laptop and switched my television to ESPNews. Unfortunately, it's all Rutgers, all the time. No word yet on the Matsuzaka bidding, and the waiting figures to continue for a while. It's already Friday night in Japan as I type this, so I don't think we're going to hear anything from Seibu until after the weekend is over. So figure Sunday night our time, at the earliest.

Reports out of Japan say the Seibu Lions will be holding an executive board meeting Friday afternoon -- around midnight tonight our time -- and they may or may not announce that they are accepting the bid then. So figure the earliest we'll find out who has the highest bid isn't until around 2 or 3 in the morning tomorrow. And if Seibu wanted to really drag it out, it could last into next week. Oh, the agony.

As a few reporters and I awaited Gary Sheffield's arrival last night at The Brooklyn Diner in Times Square, his PR folks kept insisting he would not take questions about the Yankees. He was making a special trip to New York just so the restaurant owner could give him a $25,000 check for The Gary Sheffield Foundation, and that was all he was going to address. They told us this, time and again.

Guess they were wrong.

Sheffield clearly has a warped sense of reality, and his opinions, moods and visions of fact appear to change minute to minute. But what I -- and I imagine every other reporter -- love about him is that there is no shield. You ask him a question and he gives you his answer, and you can be sure that's how he feels at that very moment.

So last night Sheffield spoke to us for nearly 20 minutes, throwing shots every which way. He took veiled shots at Brian Cashman and Bobby Abreu without naming names, and he even seemed to throw a shot Derek Jeter's way for how he has handled the Alex Rodriguez situation. The more Sheffield talked, the juicier it became.

And, get this. At one point his PR person, the same guy who kept warning us not to talk about the Yankees, stopped Sheffield and whispered in his ear. Perhaps a reminder that he doesn't have to answer these questions. But Sheffield is a big boy. He nodded, looked him in the eye and said, "I've got it." And then he continued.

And later in the interview Sheffield stopped talking on a whim, paused, and, with a straight face, said, "You all haven’t asked me nothing about my foundation."

Silence fell over us.

Then Sheffield laughed.

"Just kidding," he said.

And then he continued ranting and ripping.

Here's my Sheffield story from today's paper. If you're interested in more Sheffield quotes, I transcribed the interview. It's not in order of how we asked the questions, but it's probably about 90 percent of the interview. It's a Microsoft Word file.

The 5 p.m. deadline to bid on the negotiating rights to Daisuke Matsuzaka is quickly approaching, and Newsday's David Lennon reports from Japan that the winning bid may not be as high as we thought. Teams obviously are coy about their bids right now, but we don't need to be. So... if you're the Yankees, how much do you bid?

In the spirit of election day, here's a look at George Steinbrenner's contributions for this voting season, courtesy of the Federal Election Commission.

Here's what could be on the agenda this week.

-- Finalize Mike Mussina's new two-year contract. By the end of the week, perhaps.

-- Continue those Gary Sheffield trade negotiations. GM Brian Cashman is being deliberate, sources from other teams tell us. The Cubs, Astros, Padres, Tigers and Rangers are in on it right now. Can't be long before another Sheffield erruption.

-- Gauge the market for Jaret Wright. Instead of paying him $4 million to leave, might as well trade him elsewhere and offer to pay $3 million of his $7 million salary. So at least you get something in return and don't have to pay the full buyout amount...

-- Finally announce the remainder of the coaching staff. Everyone is coming back unless Tony Pena pulls an upset and is hired as the Nationals new manager.

-- Oh yeah, officially place a bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka at about 10 minutes before the 5 p.m. deadline on Wednesday, just to prevent a potential leak to a competitor.